3 Back-to-School Bentos, #Glutino

Glutino gifted me with free gluten-free products for this post. All opinions are my own.

Autumn is on the horizon. Let the best school lunch box games begin! Are you ready? Glutino kindly sent me kid-friendly gluten-free lunch box items. Inspired, I set out to create 3 Back-to-School Bentos packed with Glutino gluten-free goodness.

Here’s why the Glutino products in the Ninja Baker’s bentos are great eats:
1. The Bread:The Glutino Gluten-Free Multigrain Bread is fluffy and filled with wholesome goodness. The Cinnamon Raisin sings spice and the plump, juicy raisins harmonize sweetly.
2. The Animal Crackers: Both Glutino Animal Crackers are slightly softer than the crisper counterpart. Both versions (original and graham) deliver greater depths of flavor.
3. The Pop Tarts and Breakfast Bars: Soft pastry hugs strawberry and blueberry jams. As a “regular” pop tart fan from way back I thought the lack of frosting might deter from deliciousness. It doesn’t. The uber-sweet frosting was not missed.

In Japan, bento lunch boxes range in presentation (and price!) From the silly to the sophisticated, bento lunch boxes are carried out of the home. Or purchased in depa chika department store basement food halls. (The grand displays definitely rival the aisles of the famed Harrods of London.) Homemade bento boxes – like anything homemade – are filled with love. And an opportunity to have a bit of creative fun…. What kind of bento boxes do you want to pack? Love to hear in the comments section.

A scrumptious scoop of animal crackers stars in this gluten-free bento lunch. The bento is chock full of veggies, nuts and fruits that a bunny would love. But Bunny Love Bentos are not just for “wabbits.” (Remember the Trix cereal commercial?)

You’ll need:
A Japanese bento box
Bunny rabbit cookie cutters

Ingredients:

Almond butter and a favorite jam

Apple slices

Carrot sticks

Glutino Gluten-Free Animal Crackers

Glutino Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin or Multigrain Bread

​Raisins or dried cranberries

Directions:

Slather almond butter and jam on bread. Top with another slice of bread. Firmly but gently press the bunny cookie cutter into the sandwich.

Arrange the bunny sandwiches atop a nest of raisins or dried cranberries.

Fill the rest of the bento box with apple and carrot slices. Generously add a handful of animal crackers.

My ABC Glutino Snack Pack Bento is one smart way to approach snack time. Your child will give you an A+ for yumminess. (Shhh, don’t tell him/her the treats are actually healthy!)

Ingredients:

Almond Butter

Carrot Sticks

Glutino Apple, Blueberry, Cherry or Strawberry Breakfast Bar

Glutino Gluten-Free Animal Crackers

Directions:

Accompany a scoop of organic almond or peanut butter with carrot sticks. Throw a breakfast bar into the bento box. Plant a kiss on your child. Pat yourself for making smart choices and being a stellar parent!